East Devon Senior Cup first round
Okehampton Argyle 1
Westexe Rovers 1
(Okehampton won 5-3 on penalties)
THIS was an entertaining cup tie, with the final result in doubt until almost the last kick of the game.
Argyle's senior opponents were not overawed by the task facing them, and probably shaded the opening 20 minutes, but good goalkeeping from Shaun Sandercock and several timely tackles from James Williams kept their eager forwards at bay.
For Argyle, Steve Hackett brought a fingertip save from the Westexe keeper, and Robbie Miller just skimmed the wrong side of the upright with another powerful shot.
Further pressure from Westexe brought an excellent one-handed save from Sandercock, but on the half-hour there was nothing he could do when, after blocking two piledrivers, Westexe's No 10 followed up to ram the ball home at the third attempt.
Okehampton were allowed back into the game in the 40th minute when Hackett was shielding the ball with his back to goal and was unnecessarily fouled inside the box.
Williams stepped up to fire the
penalty into the bottom right hand corner.
The growing list of injured players for Argyle was increased just before half-time when keeper Sandercock and defender Mike Vernon collided heavily while challenging for the same ball.
Although they both hobbled on for the remaining minute or so, neither could continue in the second half.
Sandercock was replaced by Stuart Cann, who was recovering from a broken toe, but brave enough to fill the breach in this emergency.
Both sides created chances during the second half and extra time, with Westexe enjoying the lion's share of play. But at the final whistle, the scores were still level.
Cann became the hero, saving the second Westexe penalty while Williams, who had already scored twice from the spot earlier on, had to score Argyle's fifth to ensure victory.
This he coolly did, completing a good afternoon's work.
This week Okehampton are at home to Seaton, but because of the carnival the kick-off time is brought forward to 2pm. Please check with the local notice board in Fore Street.